curiosity due to their race , but the british press subsequently expressed some surprise that the side was not as " maori " as they had expected . playing their first match , on 3 october against surrey , the team was subjected to a taxi ##ng match schedule , and frequently played three matches per week . their early matches included a 9 – 0 loss to middlesex , but their form improved in november , when they won 10 of their 13 matches . the team played its first international match on 1 december , against ireland , and won 13 – 4 . this was followed by a win over one of the strongest english county teams , yorkshire , and a 5 – 0
curiosity due to their race, but the british press subsequently expressed some surprise that the side was not as " maori " as they had expected. playing their first match, on 3 october against surrey, the team was subjected to a taxing match schedule, and frequently played three matches per week. their early matches included a 9 – 0 loss to middlesex, but their form improved in november, when they won 10 of their 13 matches. the team played its first international match on 1 december, against ireland, and won 13 – 4. this was followed by a win over one of the strongest english county teams, yorkshire, and a 5 – 0